Bale-tie machine.



F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

Patented Aug. 15,1911.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

1,000,866. Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

1,000,866. I Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

COLUMBIA PLANOGIZAPH 60.. WASHINGTON. D16.

F. L. WEBSTER. BALE TIE MACHINE. APELIOATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

1,000,866. Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

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F. L. WEBSTER.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910. 1,000,866.

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Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

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BALE-TIE MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 15, 1911.

Application filed April 23, 1910. Serial No. 557,161.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. WEBSTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cherokee, in the county of Crawford and State of Kansas,have invented new and useful Improvements in Bale-Tie Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a .machine for making wire bale ties of thatcharacter in which the tie is provided at one end with a loop for thepassage of the other end of the tie therethrough.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine for rapidly andeconomically manufacturing bale ties of this character, and fordisposing the formed ties so as to be packed into bundles, eachcontaining a determined number of ties.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination andarrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top planview of a bale tie making machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation on an enlarged scale of the front end. of the machine.Fig. 3 is a similar view of the opposite end of the machine and lookingfrom the same side. Fig. 4: is a side view of the front end of themachine looking toward the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 2.Figs. 5, 6, 7 and S are diagrammatical views in perspective,illustrating different stages in the operation of the forming parts inmaking a tie. Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan View of the folder,twister, primary kick-off and carrier finger arranged as shown in Fig.8. Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of the same taken on the line 1010of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an enlarged side elevation of the secondarykick-off and carrier finger, illustrating in dotted lines the action ofthe former in releasing the tie from the latter. Fig. 12 is a top planview of the same. Fig. 13 is a detail section on the line 13 -13 of Fig.12. Figs. 14 to 20 inclusive are detail views of parts of the machine.Fig. 21 is a view of a completed tie formed by the machine.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the frame of the machine, whichmay be of any suitable construction, and of which 2 is the front and 3the rear end. The wire 4- from which the ties are successively madeleads in practice from a suitable reel or under and around a guidepulley 5 and through suitable tension devices 6 and 7 and a guide 8 tothe forming devices, hereinafter described.

Extending longitudinally of the frame and in parallel relation to eachother are horizontally disposed endless sprocket chains or belts 9 and10 which pass around sprocket wheels on transverse shafts 13 and 14arranged respectively at the front and rear ends of the machine. Theshaft 13 carries a pulley 15 by which power may be applied thereto fromany suitable source to drive said chains, a suitable tightener 16 beingprovided to guide and hold the driving belt taut. The stretches of thechains run in contact with suitable idlers 17 which guide them in properrelation to the forming de vices. Preferably the shaft 14: is mounted inbearings slidable on the frame and adjustable by means of a screw 18,whereby any slackness in the chains may be conveniently taken up.

The upper stretches of the chains 9 and 10 travel in operation towardthe end 2 of the machine, while their lower stretches consequentlytravel toward the end 3. Arranged equidistantly apart on the chain 9 arecontact blocks or elements 1919 which project vertically above and belowthe links to which they are attached, and also arranged equidistant-1yapart on said chain are travelers or carrier fingers 20-20 which extendlaterally therefrom. Each of said fingers is carried by an angular stem21 slidable in a guide 22 carried by the adjacent links in a directionlongitudinally of the chain, said stem having a cylindrical portionprovided with a nut and washer 23 and surrounded by a coiled spring 2 1disposed between the washer and the adjacent end of the guide. By thisconstruction the finger is yieldingly mounted for a cushioning action,as hereinafter described.

The chain 10 is provided with two sets of contact pins or projections25-26 and 25-26 arranged for operation in pairs at points equidistantlyapart along the length of the chain. The projection 25 extends inwardlyand is disposed a determined distance in advance of the projection 26which extends outwardly, and the projections 25 and 26 arecorrespondingly arranged with relation to each other. The fingers andcon- Arranged adjacent the forward end of the frame and in proximity tothe chain 9 is an anvil or clamping member 27 composed of spaced platesdisposed at right angles to the line of feed of the wire 4 and on whichthe latter is adapted to rest in the preliminary portion of theoperation of forming a tie. Mounted for transverse pivotal movement in avertical plane between the plates of the anvil is a cooperating throw-upand retaining device embodying a hooked throw-up and retaining finger 28and a depending arm 29, said finger being movable in one direction tothrow the wire up against the anvil for cooperation with the folder andtwister, hereinafter described, and movable in the reverse direction tofree the wire for lateral and longitudinal movements and to retain it inposition for the subsequent fo1ding and twisting operations. Thisthrowup and retaining device is normally held in the retaining positionsshown in Figs. 6 and 7 by a spring 29 connected with the movableactuating arm 30 of a cutting device comprising pivoted relatively fixedand movable shear blades 31 and 32, the former carried by said arm,which latter is connected with one end of a short sprocket chain section33 passing over an idle guide sprocket 34. The arm 29 is attached tosaid chain 33 by a flexible connection 35, and the opposite end of saidchain is attached to a cord or 39 normally disposed between the clampingdevice and cutter and beneath which the free endof the wire 4 extends.As shown, the finger 39 is provided at one side with a longitudinalgroove or recess '39" extending to and through its free end. A pivotedactuating arm or device 40 is provided to travel along said spiralbladed shaft to revolve the same in reverse directions, the arrangementbeing such that the finger 39 will be disposed in its stated normalposition at each At the outset of the operation of forming a tie thefree end of the wire 4 extends rcarwardly over the anvil and under thefinger 39 and between the blades of the cutter, and a device is providedfor folding the portion of the wire extending rearwardly beyond theanvil over the top of the twisting finger and in contact with the anvil,to provide a loop at the forward end of the wire which is completed orclosed by the action of the twister. This device comprises a finger 42arranged to extend normally under the wire between the twisting fingerand cutter and mounted upon one end of a transverse rock shaft 43carrying at its opposite end a trip lug 44 and a detent arm 45, said lugand arm being arranged for operation and control by the contactprojections upon the chain 10. On said shaft is a pulley 42 from whichdepends a cord 43 or the like carrying a weight 44, whereby the folderis held in normal position and retracted after operation.

The forming mechanism at the forward end of the frame is completed bythe provision of a kick-off or releasing device for freeing the loopedportion of the wire from the twisting finger, said device comprising abell-crank lever 46 provided upon one of its arms with a kick-0H finger47 and having its opposite or upper arm pivoted to the adjacent end of atransversely arranged operating bar 48 slidable in guide members 49 onthe frame and normally retained in position to hold the kick-off fingerretracted by a spring 50, whoseresistance may be regulated by atensioning nut 51. The arm 48 carries a transversely arranged contactshoe or cam 52 adapted to be engaged by the contact members 1919 toslide saidbar toward the adjacent side of the machine, thus moving thefinger 47 inwardly to slide the looped portion of the wire off thetwisting finger. The forming mechanism proper is completed by asecondary or final kick-off or releasing device 54 disposednear the rearend of the machine adjacent the chain 9. This device is in the form of abellcrank lever provided at one end with a trip finger 55 adapted to beengaged by the stems of the travelers or carriers 2020 and provided atits opposite end with a releasing finger 56 movable by the swingingmotion of said lever across the path of the traveler to engage and freethe formed tie therefrom, the

tie sliding off said finger 56 and the lever returning by gravity tonormal position after operation into contact with a supportmg roller orstud 57. A pressure sprlng 58 is provided to guide and retain theadjacent y portion of the lower stretch of the chain 9 in positionduring the operation of the kick-off, which is returned to normalposition by a spring connection 59.

The ties as they are formed drop successively into a partially circularreceiver 60, the lower edge of which is inturned and normally bearsagainst a series of bars 61, depending from the frame, said bars havingat their lower ends supporting hooks 62 to receive and hold a stack of adetermined number of ties dumped from said receiver. The receiver iscarried by rods 63 depending from a rock shaft 64 suitably journaled inbearings 65 at the adjacent side of the machine. The receiver isinclined so as to tilt outwardly under the pressure or weight of adetermined number of ties, which are received by the hooks 62 and maythen be bound into a bundle. The shaft 64 carries an outwardly extendingarm 66 on which is arranged an adjustable counter-weight 67 whichresists the dumping movement of the receptacle and allows the same totilt outward only when an established number of ties are containedtherein, the adjustability of the weight adapting the receiver for aneffective sensitiveness of operation. For the purpose of warning theattendant each time a stack of ties is dumped, the shaft 64 is providedwith a contact 68 movable by the movement of said shaft into engagementwith another contact 69 of an electric circuit 70 to close said circuit,in which is arranged an alarm bell or device '71 which sounds each timethe circuit is closed. An evener 72 is arranged adjacent one end of thereceiver 60 and is mounted to vibrate toward and from the same on a rockshaft 7 3 so as to engage the ends of any ties which may project andforce the same into the receiver to keep the ends of the stack level,whereby the operation of forming them into a bundle will be facilitated.A lever 74 is connected with the shaft and coupled by a link 7 5 to acrank 7 6 on a sprocket wheel '7 7 driven by contact with the chain 9,whereby the evener is continuously operated.

Fig. 5 shows the parts of the mechanism as arranged at the outset of theoperation of forming a tie, from which it will be seen that the end ofthe wire 4 extends over the anvil, under the grooved finger of thetwister and over the finger of the folding device, and that the contactprojections 19, 25 and 26 are moving forwardly 011 the upper stretchesof the chains to throw the parts into operation.

The contact 25 first engages the trip arm 44 of the folder, thusthrowing the detent arm 45 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6,whereby said arm 45 is brought into position to be engaged by thecontact projection 26, thus throwing the folder forward a quarterrevolution, causing the finger 42 to bend or fold the free end of thewire over the twisting finger 39 and into contact with the anvil,against which the end of the wire is held by said finger 42, doublingthe wire for the production of the loop. The folder is held in thisposition during the operation of the twister, which is now brought intoaction, by the sliding of the projection 26 along the upper surface ofthe arm 45, as shown in Fig. 6. \Vhile the wire is so held the contactprojection 19, which moves forwardly during the folding operation fromtheposition shown in Fig. 5, engages the actuating arm 40 and swings thesame forwardly, such arm running along the spiral shank of the twisterand imparting a rotary motion thereto, whereby the finger 39 in turningforms a twist in the wire, thus closing the loop.

'At this stage the contact projection 26 rides off the arm 45, therebyreleasing the folder and permitting it to be returned to normal positionby the action of the weight 44. At the same time the projection 19, inmoving forwardly, engages the cam member 52 of the kick-off, whereby thelatter is actuated and its finger 47 caused to force the looped end ofthe wire out of engagement with the twisting finger and oil the top ofthe anvil into the space between the inner side of the same and thehooked retaining finger 28. The contact 19 is preceded in its movementby the carrier finger 20, which now moves rearwardly on the descendingstretch of the chain and engages the groove or recess 39 in the finger39, by which it is momentarily held from movement as the chain stretchadvances, which action is permitted by the sliding engagement of thestem 21 in the guide 22 and the spring 24.

While the finger 20 is thus held momentarily from movement the kick-offoperates as described to force the looped end of the wire off the finger39 onto the finger 20, at which time the spring 24 is almost fullytensioned and the relative motion between the chain and finger 20ceases, the chain pulling upon said finger 20 and causing it to slideoff the finger 39, which action is permitted by and during the finaltensioning of said spring. The finger 20 is'then brought by said springback to normal position and carries the wire, which runs in guidedconnection with and over the finger 28, toward the rear of the machineuntil said finger 20 engages the final kick-off 54, which releases thelooped end of the wire from said finger. Just prior to the time thekick-off engages and removes the looped end of the wire from the carrierfinger, the projection 19 engages the lever 37 and moves the samerearwardly, thus operating the cutter to sever the wire at a determineddistance from the-loop and complete the formation of the tie at theinstant the said final kick-off comes into action.

Before operating the lever 37 the projection 19, moving rearwardly onthe lower stretch of the chain '9, first engages the lower portion ofthe T-shaped end 41 of the actuating device 40, thus returning saidactuating device to its normal position, which return reversely rotatesthe twister without affecting the wire. Upon the passage of the contact19 beyond the lever 37, the spring 29 returns the blades of the cutterto normal or open position. The rearward movement of the lever 37 alsocauses the movement of the arm 29 to actuate the hooked finger 28, whichmoves the free end of the wire up again to the top of the anvil and intothe bifurcation of the twisting finger 39, said finger 28 being returnedto normal position with the movable blade of the cutter by the spring 29after thu's disposing the free end of the wire in position for theformation of the succeeding tie, the operation of the parts on the nexthalf of the orbit of movement of the chains being effected by thecontact projections 19, 25 and 26 and the carrier finger 20, as will bereadily understood. As each formed tie is released by the final kick-offitdrops into the receiver, which dumps the ties after a certain numberare made in the manner hereinbefore described.

The operation of the parts throughout will be readily understood byreference to Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, and it will be seen that myinvention provides a simple construction of machine which is adapted torapidly and successively form bale ties of the character described froma continuous wire, enabling the ties to be economically manufactured.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. In a bale-tie-makingmachine, the combination of a pair of parallel endless travelers, ananvil arranged adjacent to one of said travelers, a wire-retainingdevice for holding the wire and moving it toward and from the anvil, atwister arranged in ad Vance of the anvil and including a twistingfinger beneath which the end of the wire leading from the anvil extends,a cutter arranged in advance of the twisting finger, a folder normallydisposed between the cutter and twisting finger and operative to foldthe free end of the wire over said finger and down upon the anvil toforma loop in the wire, a carrier upon said traveler for feeding thewire forward, a kick-off for re leasing the looped end of the wire fromthe twisting finger and engaging it with said carrier, means fornormally holding the wire-retaining device and kick-off retracted, meansupon said traveler for successively actuating the twister, retractingthe retaining device and projecting the kick-off, and

means carried by the other traveler for actuating the folder prior tothe operation of the twister by the first-mentioned means.

2. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of parallelendless travelers, an anvil, a wire-retaining device associated with theanvil for retaining the end of the wire and moving it toward and fromsaid anvil, a twister arranged in advance of the anviland including atwisting finger beneath which the end of the wire leading from the anvilextends, a cutter arranged in advance of the twisting finger, a foldernormally disposed between the cutter and twisting finger and operativeto fold the free end of the wire over said finger and against the anvilto form a loop in the wire, means carried by one of the travelers foractuating said folder and maintaining it in operation during theoperation of the twister, means for retracting said folder afteractuation, a carrier upon the other traveler for feeding the wireforward, a kick-ofi for releasing the looped end of the wire from thetwisting finger and engaging it with said carrier, means for normallyholding the wireretaining device and kick-off retracted, and meanscarried by the second-named conveyer for successively'aetuating thetwister, releasing the retaining device, projecting the kickoff to throwthe twisted loop into engagement with the carrier, operating the cutterand returning the twister to normal position.

3. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of parallelendless travelers, a wire-clamping and releasing device, a cutter, atwister arranged between the said clamping and releasing device and thecutter, a folder adapted to fold the free end of the wire over thetwister and in contact with the clamping and releasing device, a carrierupon one of the travelers adapted to engage the looped end of the wireformed by the folder and twister to feed the wire forward, a kick-01ffor throwing the loop out of engagement with the twister and intoengagement with the carrier, means carried by the other conveyer foroperating the folder and maintaining the same in operation during theactuation of the twister, means for returning the folder to normalposition, and means carried by the firstnamed conveyer for successivelyactuating the twister, kick-ofi and cutter.

4. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of parallelendless travelers, an anvil, a wire-retaining device asso ciated withthe anvil for moving the free end of the wire toward and fromsaid anvil,a twister arranged in advance of the anvil and including a twistingfinger, a folder adapted to fold the free end of the wire over saidfinger and against the anvil to form a loop in the wire, a carrier uponone of the travelers for feeding the wire forward, a kickoff forreleasing the wire from the twisting finger and engaging it with saidcarrier, a cutter for severing the wire, a second kick-oil for releasingthe looped end of the severed tie from the carrier, means upon saidconveyer for successively actuating the twister, primary kick-off,cutter, and secondary kick-off, and means upon the other conveyer foractuating the folder and maintaining it in operation during theoperation of the twister.

5. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, a twister, mechanism for looping the wire about thetwister including a folder, a device upon one of the conveyers to engagethe closed loop in the wire formed by the folder and twister and to feedthe wire forward, a device for shifting the looped end of the wire fromthe twister into engagement with the first-named device, a cutter forsevering the wire, means operated by one of the conveyers for actuatingthe folder, and means carried by the other conveyer for successivelyoperating the twister, shifting device, and cutter.

6. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, means including a folder for forming the free end ofthe wire into a loop, a device for twisting the wire to close the loop,means upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end of the wire tofeed the same forward, means for shifting the looped end of the wirefrom the twister to said engaging and feeding device, a cutter forsevering.

the fed wire at a distance from the loop, and means upon the conveyersfor successively throwing the folding, twisting, shifting and cuttingdevices into action.v

7. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers,means including a folder for forming the free end ofthe wire into a loop, a device for twisting the wire to close the loop,means upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end of the wire andfeed the wire forward, means for shifting the looped end of the wirefrom the twister to said engaging and feeding means, a cutter forsevering the said wire at a distance from the loop, a second means forshifting the looped end of the wire out of engagement with the engagingand feeding means to free the formed tie, and means upon the conveyersfor successively throwing the folding, twisting, firstnamed shiftingmeans, cutter and secondnamed shifting means into action.

8. In a bale-tie-making machine, the cornbination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil forming a guide for the free end of thewire, a twister, a folder for cooperation with the anvil to loop the endof wire, a twister including a spiral the wire about the twister, akick-0E for disengaging the looped end of the wire from the twister, acontact upon one of the con veyers for successively operating thetwister and kick-0E, means upon the other conveyer for operating thefolder prior to the operation of the twister and maintaining said folderin action during the operation of the twister, means upon the firstnamedconveyer to engage and feed the wire released from the twister by thekickoff, a cutter for severing the wire, and means upon said first-namedconveyer for successively operating the twister, kick-off and cutter. I

9. In a bale-tie making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil forming a guide for the wire, a twister, afolder cooperating with the anvil to loop the end of the wire about thetwister, a carrier upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end ofthe wire and feedthe wire forward, a kick-off for disengaging the wirefrom the twister and engaging the same with the carrier, a cutter forsevering the wire, and devices upon the conveyers for successivelyoperating the folder, twister, kick-off and cutter.

10. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil forming a guide for the wire, a twister, afolder cooperating with the anvil to loop the end of the wire about thetwister, a carrier upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end ofthe wire and feed the wire forward, a kick-off for disengaging the wirefrom the twister and engaging the same with the carrier, a cutter forsevering the wire, means upon the afore said conveyer for successivelyactuating the twister, kickoff and cutter, and means upon the otherconveyer for operating the folder prior to the action of the twister.

11. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil forming a guide for the wire. a twister, afolder cooperating with the anvil to loop the end of the wire about thetwister, a carrier upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end ofthe wire and feed the wire forward, a kick-off for disengaging the wirefrom the twister and engaging the same with the carrier, a cutter forsevering the wire, means actuated by the first-named conveyer foroperating the twister, kick-off and cutter, and means actuated by theother conveyer for actuating the folder prior to the operation of thetwister and maintaining said folder in projected position during theperiod of operation of the twister.

12. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil forming a guide for the shaft and a devicemovable in opposite directions to reversely rotate said shaft, a foldercooperating with the anvil to loop the end of the wire about thetwister, a carrier upon one of the conveyers to engage the looped end ofthe wire and feed the wire forward, a kick-01f for disengaging the wirefrom the twister and engaging the same with the carrier, a cutter forsevering the wire, a contact carried by the first-named conveyer forsuccessively actuating the twister operating device, kick-off and cutterand retracting said twister actuating device, a device upon the otherconveyer for projecting the folder prior to the operation of thetwister, and a second device upon said conveyer for maintaining thefolder in operation. during the period of operation of the twister.

13. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, devices controlled by one of, the conveyers fortwisting a folded portion of the wire to form a closed loop and feedingthe wire forward, a folder for folding the end of the wire for thetwisting action, said folder comprising a finger, a rock shaft carryingsaid finger, means associated with the shaft for normally holding'thefinger retracted, a trip lug on the shaft, a detent arm on'the shaft,and devices carried by the other conveyer for successively engaging saidlug and arm to rock the shaft and actuate the finger and to maintainsaid finger in proj ected position while the wire is being twisted toclose the loop.

14;. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination with means forfolding the free end of the wire to form a loop, and means for operatingthe same, of an endless conveyer provided with means for engagingtheclosed loop and feeding the wire forward, a twisting finger fortwisting the wire to close the loop, a spiral shaft carrying saidfinger,

a pivoted arm movable in opposite'directions along the shaft to rotatethe same in reverse directions, said arm having upwardly and downwardlyextending projections, and

means carried by said conveyer to engage said projections and impartreverse movements to said arm.

15. In a bale-tie-making machine, a r0 tary twisting finger having alongitudinal recess, an endless conveyer, a yielding carrier finger onthe conveyer movable in said longitudinal recess to engage the loopedpor'-' tion of a wire bale formed by the twister, a kick-off forshifting the loop from the twister on to the carrier finger, and meanscarried by said conveyer for actuating the twister and kick-off.

16. In a bale-tiemaking machine, a rotary twisting finger havinga'longitudinal recess, an endlesschain conveyer having a guide memberthereon, a sliding stem movable in said guide member and provided with acarrier finger adapted to move in the longitudinal recess of thetwisting finger and engage the looped portion of a bale tie formedthereby, a spring acting upon said stem to permit the same to have ayielding sliding movement, a kick-off for shifting the loop from thetwisting finger to the carrier finger, and means carried by saidconveyer for actuating the twister and kick-off.

17. In a bale-tie-making machine, an endless conveyer, a rotary twistingfinger provided with a recess, a yieldably mounted carrier finger on theconveyer adapted to engage said recess and slide past said finger, akick-off arranged to engage a looped portion of a wire formed by thetwisting finger and to slide the same therefrom on to the carrier fingerwhen said fingers are in engaging relation, and means carried by saidconveyer for actuating the twisting finger and kickoff.

18. In a-bale-tie-making machine, an endless conveyer, a rotary twistingfinger, a yieldably mounted carrier finger on the conveyer adapted'tocontact with said twisting finger, a pivotally mounted kick-offarranged'to engage a looped portion of a wire formed by the twistingfinger and to slide the same therefrom onto the carrier finger when saidfingers are in engaging relation, an automatically retracted operatingdevice for actuating the kickoff, and a projection upon the conveyer toactuate the twisting finger and the aforesaid operating device.

19. In a bale-tie-making machine, an endless conveyer, a rotary twistingfinger, a yieldably mounted carrier finger on the conveyer adapted tocontact with said twisting finger, a bell-crank lever having a kick-offfinger arranged to engage a looped portion of'a wire formed by thetwisting finger and to slide the same-therefrom on to the carrier fingerwhen said fingers are in engaging relation, an automatically retractedoperating device for actuating said bell-crank lever, and a projectionupon the conveyer to actuate the twisting finger and the aforesaidoperating device.

20. In abale-tie-makin'g machine, an endless conveyer, a rotary twistingfinger, a yieldably mounted carrier finger on the conveyer a'daptedtocontact with said twisting finger, a bell-crank leverhaving a kickofifinger arranged to engage alooped portion of a wire formed by thetwisting finger and to transfer the same therefrom to the carrier fingerwhen said fingers are in engaging relation, an automaticallyretract'edactuating device connected with'the bell-crank lever andhaving a cam portion, and a projection upon the conveyer to actuate thetwisting finger and engage saidcam=to operate the bell-cranklever.

21. In abale-tie-mak-ing machine, an endless conveyer, a rotary'twistingfinger, a

yieldably mounted carrier finger on the conveyer adapted to contact withsaid twisting finger, a bell-crank lever having one of its arms providedwith a kick-off finger arranged to engage a looped portion of the wireformed by the twisting finger and to transfer the same therefrom to thecarrier finger when said fingers are in engaging relation, a slidingoperating device connected with the other arm of the bell-crank lever, aspring acting on said device to normally hold the kick-off fingerretracted, a projection on the conveyer for operating the twistingfinger, and a cam on said sliding operating device adapted to be engagedby said projection to transfer motion to the kick-off lever.

22. In a bale-tie-making machine, a bifurcated anvil forming a supportfor the free end of the wire, a hooked retaining and throw-up fingerpivoted to and movable in the bifurcated anvil, a twisting finger, afolder operative to fold the free end of the wire about the finger andagainst the anvil, means for projecting'and retracting said retainingand throw-off finger, and means for successively operating the folderand twisting finger,

23. In a bale-tie-making machine, a rotary twisting finger, means forfolding the free end of the wire about the finger and clamping theextremity of the wire while the finger is twisting the fold to form aclosed loop, a traveler provided with means to engage the loop and feedthe wire forward, means operated by the traveler for actuating thefolder and twisting finger, a cutter provided with relatively movableblades through which the wire is drawn on its feed motion, a

pivoted operating lever adapted to be actuated by the traveler, and aflexible connection between said lever and one of the blades of thecutter.

24. In a bale-tie-making machine, an endless oonveyer, means for forminga loop upon one end of a continuous wire, a carrier finger on theconveyer adapted to engage the loop and feed the wire forward, abell-crank kick-0E embodying a trip finger adapted to be engaged by thecarrier finger and a releasing finger adapted to be projected by theensuing movement of the kick-off to engage and release the looped end ofthe wire from said carrier finger, and means for retracting saidkick-off after actuation.

25. In a bale-tie-making machine, the combination of a pair of endlessparallel conveyers, an anvil, a rotary twisting finger, a foldercontrolled in operation by one of said conveyers for folding the freeend of the wire about the twisting finger and against the anvil, akick-off device for releasing the looped end of the wire from thetwister, a projection upon the other conveyer adapted to engage thelooped end of the wire freed from the twister and to feed said wireforwardly, a cutter for severing the wire at a predetermined distancefrom the loop, and means carried by the secondnamed conveyer foroperating the twisting fingers, kick-off device and cutter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK LENARD WEBSTER.

Witnesses:

H. M. REID, O. B. LOVELAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

